England Lionesses Primed for Euro 2025 Title Defence

England Lionesses embark on Euro 2025 as reigning champions, determined to keep the trophy in their grasp despite a perilous draw and notable absences. Sarina Wiegman’s squad shares Group D with France, the Netherlands and Wales, yet belief inside the camp remains unshaken.

Why the England Lionesses still start as favourites

1. Russo’s red-hot finishing
Arsenal striker Alessia Russo has evolved from super-sub to talisman, hitting double figures in WSL play and scoring or assisting in each of her last seven internationals. Her movement between the lines is England Lionesses’ best antidote to deep-lying defences.

2. Wiegman’s tournament touch
Sarina Wiegman has coached three European Championships and lifted the trophy twice. Her in-game management — whether switching Ella Toone into the No. 10 role or flipping full-backs late on — continually tilts knockout ties in her favour.

3. Midfield depth cushions injuries
Keira Walsh anchors play, but Georgia Stanway, Grace Clinton and rising star Laura James give the manager multiple shapes. Expect a 4-3-3 against the Dutch press and a 3-4-1-2 when Wales sit back, ensuring the England Lionesses always dictate tempo.

4. Bronze & Greenwood marshal the back line
Without Millie Bright, Alex Greenwood slides centrally, while Lucy Bronze’s leadership from right-back remains priceless. The pair have logged more than 250 caps combined, an experience edge most rivals lack.

5. A fearless new goalkeeper
Mary Earps’ shock retirement opened the door for Khiara Keating. The Manchester City teenager boasts the WSL’s highest save percentage and is unfazed by pressure, as her penalty stop against Spain in April proved.

6. Winning mentality embedded
Since lifting Euro 2022, the England Lionesses have reached a World Cup final and lifted the inaugural Women’s Finalissima. The squad understands the rhythm of tournament weeks, recovery windows and media glare better than ever.

Group of death? England Lionesses relish the challenge

France own the FIFA ranking edge, but they have never beaten the England Lionesses at a major finals. The Netherlands are rebuilding under Andries Jonker after a last-16 World Cup exit, while Wales, buoyed by their first qualification, confront the Lionesses with admiration as much as aggression. Navigating this pool could actually sharpen England for the knockouts, mirroring Spain’s path to World Cup glory after surviving the tougher side of the bracket.

Sarina Wiegman’s tactical blueprint

Possession dominance is non-negotiable, yet Wiegman’s tweaks carry nuance. She encourages full-backs to under-lap instead of stretching wide when opponents flood the wings, creating central overloads for Russo and Lauren Hemp to exploit. In transition, a 4-2-4 press pins rivals high, forcing hurried clearances that the England Lionesses convert into secondary attacks.

Key fixtures and dates

• 5 July: England vs Wales — Bern
• 9 July: England vs Netherlands — Geneva
• 14 July: France vs England — Zurich
• Quarter-final window: 16-19 July, likely in Basel

The road beyond Group D

If the England Lionesses top the group, they avoid Spain until the semi-finals. Finishing second could trigger an early rematch of the 2023 World Cup final — precisely the stage where Wiegman’s appetite for revenge could ignite her side. Either path demands resilience, but England’s data-driven performance team have trimmed injury rates by 12 percent since 2022, ensuring freshness when it counts.

Players to watch

Alessia Russo: Her xG per 90 has climbed to 0.55 in 2024, proof of sharper shot selection.
Lauren James: A dribble success rate of 68 percent makes her the tournament’s most unpredictable creator.
Khiara Keating: Averaging 0.32 goals prevented per match, the youngster already outperforms veteran peers.

Fan support travels well

More than 30 000 tickets were snapped up by England Lionesses supporters during the first sales window, guaranteeing a sea of white and red across Switzerland’s eight host cities. The emotional lift is tangible: England’s win percentage under Wiegman jumps from 75 percent to 88 percent when out-cheering the opposition.

How to watch and follow

In the UK, every England Lionesses match streams live on BBC iPlayer and airs on BBC One, with highlights on ITV. Fans abroad can access coverage via Fox Sports (USA), Optus Sport (Australia) and ESPN (Latin America).

The verdict

The England Lionesses are not at full strength, yet few squads arrive with such a blend of big-game nous, tactical flexibility and star quality. Navigate the early minefield and a historic back-to-back European crown is entirely within reach.

Opinion

Neutral observers might point to Spain’s stylish dominance or France’s homegrown flair, but tournament football rewards mental steel. No current side owns more of that commodity than the England Lionesses, and dismissing them would be a grave mistake.